The Australian Federal Police Commissioner has been mocked online for having more medals than Afghanistan war hero Ben Roberts-Smith, who she had arrested.
AFP boss Krissy Barrett, who became the first woman to lead the agency when she was appointed in August, personally announced the arrest of Roberts-Smith on Tuesday with a press conference, and had a police film crew lying in wait for the Victoria Cross recipient as he was taken into custody in Sydney.
Revered former Special Air Service Regiment corporal Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, has since been charged with five counts of “war crime – murder”, and faces life imprisonment if found guilty.
But Ms Barrett has since been heavily criticised for making the arrest in front of the war hero’s young daughters instead of taking up an offer from his lawyers to present at a police station, and questions have been raised about how Nine Newspapers, who have led a years-long campaign against Roberts-Smith, had cameras in place to film the arrest themselves.
Social media users also noted that Ms Barrett regularly wears a string of medals stretching all the way across her chest, making her appear far more decorated than Roberts-Smith.
She has more medals than he does.
Looks like a joke to me… pic.twitter.com/bf2TilYg6L
— Melinda Richards 🇦🇺🇺🇸 (@goodfoodgal) April 7, 2026
“The DEI police chief who arrested Australia’s most decorated soldier for ‘war crimes’ has twice as many medals as Australia’s most decorated soldier. Think about that for a moment,” read one popular X post.
She has more medals than he does. Looks like a joke to me…” said another along with contrasting photos of the pair.
“Fake medals given to a girlboss DEI hire,” said another.
Since being appointed in August Ms Barrett, who earns $816,000 a year, has repeatedly highlighted her commitment to “diversity” and lauded her female-heavy leadership team.
“Two of our Deputy Commissioners are women, our Chief Operating Officer is a woman, our Chief Counsel is a woman, my Chief-of-Staff is a woman and our Principal Forensic Scientist is a woman,” she said in a speech for International Women’s Day in March.
“That is a lot of boss ladies!”
SAS hero Ben Roberts-Smith has now been charged with five counts of war crime – murder, and refused bail.
He faces life imprisonment if convicted.
Follow: @NoticerNews pic.twitter.com/vvDHCauQBd
— The Noticer (@NoticerNews) April 7, 2026
Ms Barrett is also responsible for creating the AFP’s National Security Investigations (NSI) teams, which focus on pre-crime and “hate speech” offences and carried out a series of raids for online posts in November and December while the Bondi Islamic terrorists were planning their massacre undetected.
She has also been criticised for stating that the Bondi attack was not motivated by religion, and for focusing on so-called right-wing extremism instead of radical Islam.
Before her appointment as Commissioner, Ms Barret held the role of AFP First Nations Champion, “promoting healthy and inclusive workplace culture, creating awareness and advocating for First Nations people, whilst leading and advising on significant matters to assist in implementing diversity and inclusion strategies”.
Her medals include the Australian Police Medal, the Police Overseas Service Medal, Operations Medal (Operation Alliance – Bali bombings), ACT Emergency Medal and National Emergency Medal for leadership during bushfires, as well as the National Medal, National Police Service Medal, AFP Service Medal and ACT Community Service Medal.
Header image: Left, Krissy Barrett (AFP). Right, Ben Roberts-Smith (ADF).
